Can-opener.



G.A.JAEGBR. GAN OPENER. APPLICATION FILED NOV. 11. 1909.

Patented Mar. 28, 1911.

THE NI/RR'IS PETERS co WASHINGTGN, n c.

TTNTED 3TT PATENT GUSTAV A. JAEGER, OF MORRISON, ILLINOIS.

CAN-OPENER.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GusrAv A. Janeen, citizen of the United States,residing at Morrison, in the county of VVhiteside and State of Illinois,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Can-Openers, ofwhich the following is a specification.

This invention relates to can openers and refers particularly to animproved construction of a can opener whereby the same may be applied tocans varying in size.

An object of this invention is to form a can opener for cutting the topsfrom cans which is adapted for universal. use, as the same is providedwith an adjustable blade whereby the blade may be positioned atdifferent distances from the point of rotation of the opener.

The invention has for a further object the provision of a device of thischaracter which is formed from wire and which at the same time producesa strong and durable'implement which can be economically manufactured.

F or a full understanding of the invention reference is to be had to thefollowing description and accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is aperspective view of the im proved implement as applied to the upper endof a can. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the implement detached. Fig. 3is a side elevation of the can opener, and Fig. 4C is a section on theline 1% of'Fig. 3.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the followingdescription and indicated in all the views of the drawing by the samereference characters.

Referring to the drawing in which is disclosed the preferred embodimentof the invention the numeral 10 designates a shank formed from a lengthof wire which is 0H"- set at its outer extremity to form a point 11. Thepoint 11 is tapered at its outer end and adapted for insertion throughthe central portion of the cover of the can 12. The length of wireforming the shank 10 is looped intermediately to form a stop 13 whichextends laterally from the shank 10, the portion of the wire inwardly ofthe stop 13 forming a suitable handle 14: for grasping the implement.

Slidably arranged upon the length of wire forming the shank and thehandle Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed November 11, 1909.

Patented Mar. 28, 1911. Serial No. 527,497.

14 is a guide 15 which is composed of a length of wire bent intosubstantially U formation and having its opposite free ends looped aboutthe shank 10 and handle 14: respectively, to form eyes 16 and 17. Theeye 17 forms the termination of the inner end of the guide 15 while thewire extending from the end of the eye 16 is depended therefrom and isflattened to form a suitable blade 18. The blade 18 is given a forwardcurve at its lower end to increase the efliciency of the same whenoperating the blade to provide a beveled cutting edge to engage with thecover of the can 12. From this construction it will be readily observedthat the guide 15 may be moved longitudinally the length of the wireforming the shank 10 and handle 14. and that it is prevented fromdisplacement from the inner end of the handle 14 by the stop 13 whichengages the eye 16. The stop 13 also serves the purpose of retaining theblade 18 in a vertical position when in the act of cutting, as the guideis engaged against the outer end of the stop 13 and is retained fromrotary movement about the length of wire. It will also be observed thatthe outer end of the stop 13 is curved upwardly at a slight angle toform a lip 19 to insure the engagement of the guide 15 t-hereagainst.

In the use of the device the point 11 is inserted centrally through thecover of the can 12 and the shank l0 drawn downwardly against the upperface of the cover. At the same time the guide 15 is moved along thelength of wire to dispose the blade 18 at the desired distance inwardlyfrom the edge of the cam 12 and at the point where the cutting is to beeffected. The blade 13 is now forced through the cover 12 by pressureupon the guide 15 and the handle 14 when the implement is rotated aboutthe point 11 causing the blade 18 to pass through the cover of the canand to thereby cut the same.

It will be particularly noted that with a device of this constructionthe guide 15 may be moved outwardly from the shank 10 to variouspositions to accommodate cans of difi'erent sizes, or to cut the coverat substantially any point desired.

Having thus described the invention what is claimed as new is As anarticle of manufacture a can opener including a length of wire having anofiset and pointed extremity, and a loop formed a blade, the centralstraight portion of the midway of its ends and at right angles to secondWire lying in the path of the loop. 10 the offset pointed extremity, asecond length In testimony whereof I aflix my signature of Wire bentinto U-form and having its ends in presence of tWo Witnesses.

overturned to loosely receive the first length GUSTAV A. JAEGER. of Wireat the opposite sides of the loop, the Witnesses:

inner end of the second Wire extending be- R. R. TRACY,

yond the overturned endand formed into AUGUST F. JAEGER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressingthe Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G.

